Fir

st U

nit

ed M

eth

od

ist

Ch

urc

h,

Ora

nge

is a

pla

ce t

o g

row

you

r fa

ith

th

rou

gh

w

ors

hip

, st

ud

y a

nd

ser

vic

e to

th

e co

mm

un

ity

. M

issi

on S

tate

men

t

Volume 82 issue #14 August 2013

Deadline for the next edition of The Forum will be September 15th

First United Methodist Church of Orange

The Forum

Volume 83 issue #11 August 28 2014

Celebrate the Spirit

Catch the Excitement

September 7, 2014

Come for:

Worship, Choir, Praise Band,

Adult and Children’s Sunday School,

Sunday School Teacher Dedication

and Children’s Bible Handout.

Stay for:

All Church Potluck and a Petting Zoo

Bring a main dish, side dish or dessert to share:

pulled pork or chicken, buns, corn bread

coleslaw, baked beans, pie

2

THE FORUM

A Message from the Pastor

While he was still speaking to the crowds, his

mother and his brothers were standing outside,

wanting to speak to him. Someone told him,

“Look, your mother and your brothers are

standing outside, wanting to speak to you.” But

to the one who had told him this, Jesus replied,

“Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?”

And pointing to his disciples, he said, “Here are

my mother and my brothers! For whoever does

the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and

sister and mother.”

- Matthew 12:46-50

One recurring theme made visible throughout

the whole of scriptures is the importance of

family in God’s Kingdom.

Of course describing the “ideal” family can be a

bit confusing, if not downright impossible, these

days. As families go, we no longer live in a

one-size-fits-all world - if in fact we ever did.

Each person’s idea of family is different, as is

each one’s reality of family...and so many

theories contradict each other that it becomes

impossible to offer a teaching about family and

family values that will touch all the bases and

cover all the possibilities. Perhaps that’s why so

many politicians and leaders have missed the

mark over the years when they talk about our

culture “returning to family values.” They end up

pining for a dream that has little basis in reality.

Sometimes I wonder if the church fared any

better than our politicians? Every year about this

time I see advertisements from churches calling

us to “bring our families back to church”, as if by

being together in church we will somehow

discover the perfect way to be a family, and the

hurts and wounds of life can be magically healed

just by sitting together in a pew.

We would do well to remember that Jesus’

teaching and Kingdom call is not so much about

defining families, or bringing more families into

the center of church life. Instead he gave a clear

call to bring God to the center of our

families. For Jesus, it doesn’t seem to matter in

what “shape” we find our families - stressed or

peaceful, single parent or couples, traditional or

progressive, young children or empty nests,

newlywed or newly widowed. When we hear the

call of Christ, and bring God to the center of our

family, our family soon becomes “a haven of

blessing and a place of peace.”

“So then,” you might ask, “why church”?

Because there are still many in the world to

whom love is a stranger, who have no claim to

family whatsoever, and have never experienced

the saving grace of Jesus Christ. In the presence

of Christ’s people they can find a new home. In

the presence of our worship they can see and

feel and hear the love of God made tangible. In

our serving together they can find God’s purpose

for their own lives. When these strangers to love

are welcomed as family in Christian fellowship,

the blessing and peace will overflow and spread,

transforming our world.

In the scriptures, families - as strange and

disparate as some of them seem - are seen as a

gift from God. Families are the place where

God’s blessing is given. Families are the work of

God’s grace that sustains us, that opens us to

God, that carries us through our tough times.

Families are God’s primary “delivery system” for

his own revelation. Even our theological

understanding of God’s own self is expressed in

familial terms: the Father and the Son. As

strangers become family in our lives, and as

each family seeks to worship God, God’s

Kingdom will naturally emerge in the midst of us,

and the church will fulfill its purpose.

See you in church!

Pastor Bill

"Say a good word for Jesus..."

3

The Forum

Lady Twigbenders Thursday, September 18

th at 1:00 pm in the Fireside Room

Our hostesses will be Ada Landes and Mildred Hall.

Our program will be presented by Margaret Beyer.

Come, bring a friend ~ guests are always welcome!

Luncheon Meeting September 11, 11:30 am

We begin our fall season with our luncheon meeting on September 11 at 11:30 am in Messenger Hall. We

have an informative and timely message from Sharon Mason on Women’s Heart Health. We look forward to

coming together after the summer and having a wonderful meal., message and fellowship.

United Methodist Women

Other Dates to Remember September 9

2:00 pm Daytime Circle in the Fireside Room

“Tea Time and Souvenirs”, speaker Sandy Stave

September 29

7:30 pm Ruth Circle:

Mission Study at Julie Wakefield’s

Santa Ana District Celebration Saturday, September 20, 8:30 am to noon

Our UMW Unit will host the Santa Ana District Celebration o September 20th. This is a rare opportunity to

attend a district meeting without traveling. The meetings are always inspirational and informative. The

speaker will be Kimberly McOwen Yim, founder of San Clemente Abolitionists, a group dedicated to ending

child sex trafficking around the world. Kimberly is the author of Refuse to Do Nothing: Finding Your Power to

Abolish Modern Day Slavery and will be sharing this message with us.

As hosts for this event, we will provide a light breakfast of egg casseroles and fruit. If you can help by

providing food or servig, please advise Joyce Claussen or Donna Nash. Cost for this celebration will be $10

and registration is due by September 10th: we have registration forms available for you. We hope many of

you will take this wonderful opportunity to be a part of a district celebration.

Cranberry Tea November 1, 11:30 am

Looking ahead, our annual Cranberry Tea is just around the corner. If you have attended before, you know

this is a lovely day of delightfully decorated tables,s cruptous food and wonderful fellowship. This year our

program is “Shirley, Take A Bow”, which will be a history of Shirley Temple, presented by Sheryl Shirran,

who will also share her dolls and Shirley Temple collection. Sounds like a wonderful trip down memory lane.

There will be more information later, but plan on getting your tickets early as this is always a popular day.

4

THE FORUM

Children, Youth and Young Adults

“The God Squad” Youth 6

th – 12

th grades

September 14th

5:30 pm, Youth Cellar

New BACK 2 SCHOOL Series begins.

Pizza Feast & Drinks!

September 28th

BOOMERS IN IRVINE

Cost $11

Pizza & drinks included

Bring a friend - friends are free!

Peter Joseph Director of Faith Formation

Email: peter@fumco.org

Cell: 714-473-8086

Office: 714-532-6363 x203

KIDZ PRAISE is the name of the children’s choir here at First United Methodist Church of Orange

Children age 4 through 6th grade are invited to be a part of this musical adventure. Rehearsals are

every Sunday (except for the 1st Sunday of each month) for 30 minutes right after the worship service

in the Sunday School classroom.

REHEARSALS BEGIN SEPTEMBER 13

The KIDZ PRAISE experience offers opportunities for children to sing the music of the Christian faith

and songs that hel-p celebrate the special days of the Christian calendar. They will have opportunities

to share their music in Sunday morning worship services throughout the year.

The group is directed by Donna Nelson and Sylvia Coussa. For more information . . . contact Donna at

msnelsondonnal@yahoo.com or Sylvia at coussa@excite.com or 714-667-7813

MANDATORY SAFE SANCTUARY MEETING Sunday, September 28

th at 9:30 AM in the Youth Cellar

This is for all volunteers that works with children & youth. See Peter for more information.

Please take note . . .Confirmation is just around the corner. For all those interested, please see Peter Joseph. This is open to all in 6

th grade and above.

5

The Forum

Opportunities

Get Involved this Fall! A new ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL class will start up Sunday September 7th at 9:00 a.m. in the Fireside

Room. This is an 11-week study of the book, “The Ten Commandments from the Back Side” by J. E. Kalas.

Join us as we take a creative new look at the Commandments.

Both our SANCTUARY CHOIR and SKYWORD GOSPEL CHOIR will begin rehearsals on Thursday,

September 4th. SkyWord Choir rehearses at 6:15 pm on Thursday evenings in the Sanctuary while

Sanctuary Choir rehearses at 7:30 on Thursday evenings. The SkyWord Choir typically sings in Sunday

morning worship on the 2nd

Sunday of each month while the Sanctuary Choir sings all other Sundays and in

special services throughout the year. No experience is required and we welcome all voices! For more

information, please see the music director, Mike Short or just show up - we would love to see you there!

The SPECTRUM BELL CHOIR will begin rehearsals on Sunday, September 21st, following the morning

worship service. Rehearsals are on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of each month. This choir plays several times a

year in worship service for the special seasons of the church year. We are always oopen to new members.

If you have a music background and would like to be a part of this dynamic group, please contact the direc-

tor, Sylvia Coussa at 714-667-78123 or coussa@excite.com.

The BELLS OF PRAISE (beginning bell choir) will begin rehearsals Sunday, September 14th. This choir is

open to anyone (grade 6 through adults) that has an interest in learning how to play the bells. No prior

music experience or knowledge is required. You will learn the basics of note reading and rhythm notation.

This choir meets on the 2nd and 4th Sunday of each month, following the morning worship service.

Rehearsals are in the downstairs music room. Please contact Sylvia by phone or e-mail for further info.

Are you a people person? If so, you would make a great SUNDAY MORNING GREETER. Such a quick and

easy way to make those attending worship feel welcome here at First United Methodist Church of Orange.

All you need to do is offer a warm handshake and a friendly “Good Morning” once every three months. Call

Carol Rathbun at 532-6363 ext 216 if you would like to participate in this important ministry.

Consider being a part of our WORSHIP DESIGN TEAM. This new ministry will be starting this fall to discuss

what works in worship and what doesn’t as we continually strive to put together a better service. The meet-

ings will take place on Monday evenings from 5:00 pm to 6:30 pm in the church office beginning Monday,

September15th. For more information on this exciting new group, please contact Pastor Bill at 714-532-

6363 ext. 206.

We are looking for someone to put together and run our Sunday morning POWERPOINT PRESENTATION. If

you have some computer skills and a little creativity, this could be for you. Please call the church office for

more information or if this sounds like something you would like to do.

6

THE FORUM

Joys, Concerns, and Celebrations

September Birthdays

1 Betty Salling

5 Dick Allen

Susan Barnhouse

Laurel Hart

Matthew Nelson

7 Simon Gohil

Hannah Tardie

11 Rebeca Espinoza-Rodenzo

13 Cathy Seelig

Sharon Tipping

14 Betty Dietlin

15 Nick Rogers

18 Bob Finn

20 Denise Carroll

Maxine Nelson

23 Kay Rogers

Carol Stadum

24 Miriam Asgar

26 Wayne Wilson

27 Augustin Gohil

Joel Tardie

3 Rich & Bev Helmick

6 Charles & Katie Schroeder

9 Ken & Helen Martin

10 Chip & Susan Dicerson

11 Bob & Margaret Davis

Jerry & Dorothy Schaper

30 Steve & Jane Carmichael

For Shirley Katz as she recovers from surgery on

August 25th.

For Louise Delong who is home after a briefvisit to

St. Joseph’s hospital.

For Jerry Schaper who has been diagnosed as

having a mass on his brain.

For Bernie Franklin who has bronchitis.

For Jane Parra as she continues to work her way

through breast cancer treatment.

For Mary Lou Ebrite who is in and assisted living

facility due to complications following surgery

For Ron Kelly for healing of his shoulder after a fall

For Karen Morey’s grandson, Kenyon who is having

migraines and vomiting

For Shirley Hoggatt’s neighbor’s daughter-in-law

who had surgery for breast cancer.

For Vince Cleveland’s mother and step-dad who are

having medical issues and for his brother who has

come out to help them

For our shut-ins, and all the others not mentioned,

but known in our hearts.

Anniversaries Pray Without Ceasing

For Dana & Cathy Seelig’s 40th Anniversary

For Sandy Porter & Vince Cleveland’s 25 th

Anniversary

For the birth of Wayne & Donna Nash’s

great-grandson, Jace Singer

Marilyn Allen, Herb Boche, Ferne Boice, Bob

Davis, Jay Farrell, Jackie McCracken, Mildred Hall,

Carol Hilton, Sybil Low, Rob Kaiser, Shirley Katz, Jim

and Betty Sal ling, Charles Schroeder, Shirley Som-

ers, Rita Suthers, Dwight Tipping, Nena

Williams, Betty Wisely

Joys

Prayer Requests

7

The Forum

LUNCHBAGS for the HOMELESS

Thanks to your generous donations our lunch bag program is doing grat and we need more food!! Items

needed to fill the bags include: granola bars, juice box drinks, individual applesauce cups, small boxes of

raisins, cheese & crackers, small individual cans of Beanie Weanie, Vienna sausage or any other item that

would fit nicely into a sack lunch. All donations, large and small, are greatly appreciated. Please place your

donated items in the specially marked collection bins in the Narthex on Sunday mornings.

Bits & Pieces

Monday, September 1 Office Closed for Labor Day

Monday, September 8

SPRC 7:00 pm Library

Monday, September 15

Worship Design Team 5:00 pm Church Office

Leadership Team Meeting 7:00 pm Library

Tuesday, September 16

Worship Committee Meeting 7:30 pm Fireside Room

Monday, September 22

Worship Design Team 5:00 pm Church Office

Trustees Meeting 6:30 pm Library

Sunday, September 28

Safe Sanctuary Meeting 9:30 am Youth Cellar

This is a mandatory meeting for all volunteers working with

children and youth. See Peter Joseph for more information.

Monday, September 29 Worship Design Team 5:30 pm Church Office

8

THE FORUM

Outreach Ministries

of First UMC, Orange

FAMILY PROMISE

Casey Crosbie, Exec. Dir. 714-353-0428

FUNCO

Parent operated child-care Becky Billingsly, Coordinator 714-944-7156

ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS

Orange Co. Central 714-556-4555

Meets Monday and Friday evenings in room 203

NARANON Meets Thursday evenings in room 203

HOMEWORK HOUSE

Marcia Marcinko, Director 714-694-0965

161 South Orange St.

Orange, Ca. 92866

Phone 714-532-6363

Fax 714-532-5496

www.fumco.org

Office Hours:

Monday - Thursday

9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Sunday Morning Schedule

8:30 a.m. ......... Choir Rehearsal

9:00 a.m. .. Adult Sunday School

10:00 a.m. ..... Coffee/Fellowship

10:30 a.m. .................... Worship

Sunday School for

ages 4-6th grade following the

Word for Children.

United Methodist Youth

Sunday Fellowship

5:30 - 7:00 p.m.

2nd & 4th Sundays

Office Staff Telephone Extensions: Dial 532-6363 and extension:

Pastor

206 Rev. Bill Johnson

Administration

201 Karen Mendoza, Administrative Secretary 216 Carol Rathbun, Communications Secretary

Programs

203 Peter Joseph, Director of Faith Formation

Mike Short - Director of Music

Sylvia Coussa - Bell Choir Director

Joe Schubert - Organist

Just a reminder . . . Don’t forget your special Parking Permit to help with parking while you attend worship on Sunday, August 31

st during the Orange International Street

Fair. Come early and enjoy coffee fellowship time.